Jewish & Muslim Students Help Tornado Survivors

Jewish and Muslim Students Unite to Help Survivors of April 2011 Tornadoes

The recent deadly tornadoes are a harsh reminder of the terrible outbreak of storms from last April 2011, when at least 173 tornadoes, thunderstorms, and severe winds ripped through the south, killing more than 300 and causing widespread destruction throughout several states.

The twisters leveled neighborhoods and left thousands homeless, with more than a million people without power. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it was the worst tornado outbreak since 1974.

President Obama called the loss of life “heartbreaking,” and promised survivors the full support of the federal government. FEMA provided federal disaster aid to Alabama and several other affected states.

Although it has been nearly a year, the recovery efforts continue and much work needs to be done. Sixteen students – nine Jewish and seven Muslim – from New York University recently assembled in Birmingham to lend their hands to recovery efforts. There, they joined with local Muslim volunteers from the Birmingham Islamic Society and ICNA Relief USA.

The students from Bridges — Muslim Jewish Interfaith Dialogue at NY0055, partnered with the New York-based Jewish Disaster Response Corps and ICNA Relief USA to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s rebuilding efforts. Accompanying the students were Imam Khalid Latif and Rabbi Yehuda Sarna.

Pratt City, Ala., Jan. 17, 2012 — Nearly nine months after the deadly tornadoes struck the Southeast, rebuilding is still occurring. Jewish and Muslim NYU student volunteers at a job site where 2 new homes are being built. FEMA funding and coordination with volunteer agencies helped make this happen.
Pratt City, Ala., Jan. 17, 2012 — Nearly nine months after the deadly tornadoes struck the Southeast, rebuilding is still occurring. Jewish and Muslim NYU student volunteers at a job site where 2 new homes are being built. FEMA funding and coordination with volunteer agencies helped make this happen.

Pratt City, Ala., Jan. 17, 2012 -- Nearly nine months after the deadly tornadoes struck the Southeast, rebuilding is still occurring. David Myers, director of the DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships talks with NYU student volunteers. Jewish and Muslim NYU students are volunteering at a job site where 2 new homes are being built. FEMA funding and coordination with volunteer agencies helped make this happen.

The trip to Birmingham was Bridges’ community service initiative and part of President Obama’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge.

Importance of Voluntary and Faith-based Organizations

Following any disaster, survivors depend on voluntary and faith-based organizations to assist in recovery efforts.

“Rebuilding becomes the responsibility of the local community, which does not always have the financial needs to address concerns,” said Elie Lowenfeld, JDRC founder and director who also accompanied the students.

Chelsea Garbell, president of Bridges and a junior at NYU, said the main purpose of the trip was to facilitate religious dialogue.

“When we engage in religious dialogue and service work, we strengthen relationships among ourselves, and through those relationships we are able to provide invaluable assistance to the communities we encounter. While in some areas there is animosity between Muslims and Jews, if we can learn from one another, and develop an understanding of our similarities and differences, we can stand together as human beings in an effort to better the world around us.”

Fatima Kutty, a Bridges executive board member who hopes to go to medical school after graduation, said she enjoys working in an interfaith environment, and through “amazing conversations,” she has learned a lot about the Jewish religion and its people.

“Once relationships are established people are less likely to discriminate,” said Kutty.

Lowenfeld said that the trip was a unique opportunity for members of NYU’s Muslim and Jewish communities to develop meaningful relationships with each other, as well as provide service and hope to disaster survivors.

According to David L. Myers, director of the DHS Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the students’ work in assisting recovery efforts exemplify the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships’ goals of fostering interreligious dialogue and cooperation, while also advancing the whole community approach to emergency management.